Coronavirus Deaths Mounting at RI Prisons, Another Victim Announced on Christmas Day

Coronavirus Deaths Mounting at RI Prisons, Another Victim Announced on Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, RI prison officials announced that a prisoner died of complications related to the coronavirus.

"I am just letting you know on behalf of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections that an inmate passed today who was also COVID-19 positive. Due to medical privacy laws the name of the individual is not being released. The inmate requested “Comfort Measures Only” and that no extraordinary measures be taken to keep him alive. He was 79-years-old,” said spokesman J.R. Ventura.

“The inmate had other serious complicating health conditions that contributed to his death. He was being treated at Rhode Island Hospital for complications of COVID-19. The inmate was housed in the Medium Security facility of the ACI, where he was serving a life sentence for Murder, and a concurrent expired sentence for manslaughter. The inmate’s family has been notified,” Ventura added. 

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RIDOC Director Patricia A. Coyne-Fague, Esq. said in a statement, “Any loss of life is very painful for friends and families, especially around the holidays, and we are keeping all who have lost relatives and loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time. We are doing everything we can to keep people as safe as possible – no one wants to see more people die as a result of this virus that has claimed already too many lives in our state, and the rest of the world.”

This death comes less than a week after another prisoner — a 66 year-old man died.

On the 14th of December, the Department of Corrections announced that a long-time correction officer died of the coronavirus.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must report the loss of Lt. Russell Freeman, who passed away early this morning from complications of COVID-19”, said Director Coyne -Fague announced at the time.

Nearly every inmate tested positive in the maximum security facility over the past few months.